Spray device



Sept. 6, 1955 B. GODA, SR 2,717,177

SPRAY DEVICE Filed Sept. 4. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l "3 INVENTOR.

Lawrence B. G odd, Sr.

L. B. GODA, SR

SPRAY DEVICE Sept. 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed. Sept. 4, 1951 INVENTOR. Adu/ rence Godd,5r'

United States Patent O SPRAY DEVICE Lawrence B. Godin-Sr., Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 4, 1951, Serial No. 244,943

7 Claims. (Cl. 299-86) My invention relates in general to spraying, and in particular to a method and device for controlling the spray from the usual spray gun employed in painting and the like.

In my prior Patent No. 2,512,542, I disclosed a spray device particularly adapted for producing stripes without generally vertical plane between relatively small window panes forming a part of a larger window opening.

r:"he principal object of my invention is the provision of an improved method of and means for spraying particularly adapted for use in unusual positions such as around windows and the like.

Another object is the provision of an improved spray device for painting around Windows without the necessity of masking the glass.

Still another object is to improve the device of my prior Patent No. 2,512,542 to improve its usefulness in striping work.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an improved spraying mechanism for producing stripes and the like which is so constructed and arranged that it may be used at any desired angle and in confined spaces.

Other special objects and features of my invention will be brought out in connection with the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing a spray control device adapted for use with -conventional types of spray guns;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing the principal parts of the device of Fig. l in side elevation and in the order in which they are assembled into the completed device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View showing the top of a drain reservoir and the mechanism for producing suction to promote drainage to such reservoir, the point at which the section is taken being indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view showing the complete assembly and illustrating the manner in which the device and method of my invention are employed;

Fig. 7 is a view showing a modified guard which may be utilized in the assembly comprising Figs. 1-3 inclusive; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary exploded view partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing a further modication.

Referring now first to Fig. 6, l show ay spray gun 10 which receives paint through a paint line 11 from a container 12, and a drain reservoir 13 to which paint is delivered through a suction line` 14 from a spray control device indicated generally by the reference character v 16. Air is delivered to the spray gun through a linei17.

Air for operating the device is received from a suitable source through a line 18, and its pressure isl controlled at a control valve 19, the controlled air pressure lbeing shown on a gauge v21. This arrangement is entirely co'nventional, suitable means (including a cross tubel 22) being provided to deliver airy to the top of the paint'in container 12 so as to lift it to the usual control valve in the spray gun 10 through the line 11. Air is delivered directly from the control valve 19 tothe air line 17.

To produce a suction on line 14 I tap the line 17and remove air continuously through a line'f'23 for delivery to a forcing nozzle 24v aligned with` aventuritube H26. The forcing nozzle and venturi tube are disposed within a small housing 27 connected to the top of cap 28 which seals the drain reservoir 13'. The forcing nozzle and venturi tube, the latter being open to atmosphere, create a suction which continuously draws air from the top of the drain reservoir 13. The line 14 `is connected into the drain reservoir through a nipple 29, so that suction in turn is applied to the line 14 at all times.

To provide for simple handling of the assembly, I utilize a shoulder strap 31, the ends of which are secured to a bar 32 which is rigidly secured to the paint container 12 and drain reservoir 13 by the simple expedient of extending through it the connecting xtures to which the'lines 11 and 14 are'attached. ,i

The spray control device 16 of my invention comprises a shell 33, 4special bushing 34, restrictor 36, guard 37, and ring nut 38. As shown particularly in Figs. '2 `and 3, the shell 33 comprises an annular portion 39V which is adapted to it'snuglyy over the spray gun 10Q and suitable Ameans 41 (which may be an Allen screw or the like) is employed to form a tight connection.` The shell comprises an enlarged vportion 42 which4 narrows down to an interio'rly threaded portion 43 generally fin alignment with and approximately the same size as the annular portion 39. Within the enlarged portion 42 is a lip''44 connected to the annular portion 39, by a plurality of connec'ting members 46, leaving open spaces 47 between the annular portion 39'Y and the enlarged portion 42., ln actual practice, the annular portion 39,` lip 44, and connecting portions 46 comprise portions of the nsame tube. When the shell is mountedon the spray gun, the discharge nozzle 45v of the spray gun lies between the lip 44 and the annular portion '39, as shown particularly in Fig. 6. i

The bushing 34 is generally tubular with one set of threads 48 engaging in the threaded portion 43 ofthe shell, as `shown particularlyri'n Fig. 2, anda second set of threads 49 for receiving the ring nut 3`8'for a purpose andk in a manner which'will oe described hereinafter. Between the threads 48 and 49 I provide a plurality of air oriiices 51. That end of the bushing 34 which faces the shell`39is restrictedto'forrn a circular knife edge 52, and from the knife edge the bushing slopes to form a generally truncated cone 53, the base of which'is spaced from contiguous portions 'of the'exterior portion ofthe bushing 34 to leave an annular recess; Between this recess and the threads l48 a'- drainage opening'5`4 .is provided. i

The restrictor 36 comprises a hollow, generally spherical portion 56 and an integral washer-like exterior projection 57. A spray receiving orifice 58 is provided on one side of the restrictor and a spray discharge orifice 59 on different width.

the opposite side. The hollow spherical portion S6 is also provided with a number of air openings 61 and a drain opening 62.

The guard 37 has a ring portion 63, a pair of arms 64, and an annular restricted portion 65. The ring portion 63 is narrowed to provide a shoulder 66 which in assembly engages against the washer 57. The ring nut is interiorly threaded to iit the threads 49 on the bushing 34, and has an annular interior projection 67 which engages against the annular portion 63 of the guard to hold it in position.

Looking particularly at Fig. 2, it will-be seen that the restrictor engages against the knife edge 52 of the bushing 34 to both center and seal it at this point. When the ring nut and guard are also in position, the restrictor and guard are held in assembled relation; and when so held the drain holes 54 and 62 of the bushing and restrictor, respectively, are in alignment, as well as the air holes 51 and 61 of the bushing and restrictor, respectively.

At the bottom of the enlarged portion of the shell 42 a threaded boss 68 is provided for attachment of the line 14. The shell is also provided with a guide which may be identical with the guide shown in my prior Patent No. 2,512,542. As shown the shell has a channel 69 in which a plug 71 is movable transversely. A guide element 72 is threaded into the plug, the construction being such that when the guide element is loosened the plug may be moved along the channel 69; but when tightened, the plug is held in the channel in fixed position. A nut 73 cooperates with the guide element 72 to permit some adjustment of the guide element, so far as the extent of its projection is concerned, while still providing for locking the plug in the manner and for the purpose described.

While I realize that exact dimensions are not necessary for a complete understanding of my invention, it may assist those skilled in the art to have at least some of the dimensions that I have found to be practical in actual practice. The sphere comprising the restrictor may to advantage be approximately 1% in diameter, with the washer 57 being Ms" outside diameter and 3&6 inside.

The bushing 34 may suitably be M3" inside diameter, Y

except atthe knife edge 52 where it is reduced to 1/2 in diameter. The holes 51 are suitably /Qp," in diameter; and I have found that seven of them, equally spaced across the top, produce a suitable functioning of the device. The drawing is approximately to scale, so that the remaining dimensions can in general be determined.

The function of the opening 58 is to reduce the area of spray passing through the restrictor; and the discharge oriiice 59 is approximately such size that, considering the normal divergence of the spray, approximately the spray passing through the orifice 58 will also pass through the orifice 59. The guard blades 64 and annular restriction 65 are spaced sufficiently so that only bits of spray not forming a part of the main stream will engage them. By adiusting dimensions, particularly of the orifices 58 and S9, the width of the spray can be controlled and it is only necessary to replace the restrictor 36 and guard 37 to adapt the device to producing a line of a In actual practice I have used the device of my invention substantially as shown, except for changes in the restrictor and guards to produce 1%, 53" and '%z" lines. These figures, of course, are illustrative and not limiting.

The Spray which does not enter the orifice 58 passes to the exterior of the bushing and is adapted to be drained directly into the line 14. Such paint as does accumulate `on the exterior of the bushing and restrictor will gather generally be delivered through the orifice S9, a certain amount of turbulence will occur and some divergent portion will strike the inside wall of the restrictor. ,This spray is drawn by suction through the drain openings 54 and 62 into the line 14. The air openings 51 function to relieve any pressure which may tend to be produced within the restrictor such as would cause turbulence; but they also form openings for slight gradual movement of air around the spray and in a direction toward the drain openings 52 and 62, thus facilitating cleaning and draining. lf there should be any accumulation of paint in the enlarged portion 42 of the shell, the lip 44 will prevent leakage if the spray gun is pointed upwardly While in use.

The guard is so positioned that the arms 64 straddle a line which is being painted. In other words, if the line being painted is horizontal, the arms 64 are above each other; but if the line is vertical, they are spaced laterally from each other. The position of the arms is changed by merely loosening the ring nut slightly and rotating the entire guard member. In this connection it may be noted that while normally a guard will be employed having two arms 64, the modified guard shown in Fig. 7 may also be used. In Fig. 7 I employ the same reference characters as in the remaining figures, except for the prefix 1 to indicate modification.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, the same general features and principles are employed as in the main embodiment, including the vacuum drain and the use of a single or double-bladed guard. In Fig. 8 the bushing is shown integral with the shell, and the guard and restrictor are combined to form a single unit. This construction permits me to obtain a wider stripe without changing the outside dimensions of the shell in any way. For example, I may produce a full one-inch stripe or even wider, by means of this modication.

In this figure l have indicated the shell by the numeral 233 to indicate modication, the broken away portion being identical with the corresponding portion in Fig. 3. The shell 233 has an enlarged portion 76, lip 77, and threaded boss 78 which may be identical with corresponding parts in the main embodiment. Integral with an annular portion 79 is an internal projection 81 which functions as the bushing in Fig. 3. While the portion comprising parts 79 and 81rnay be in fact a separate bushing threadedly carried by the shell as in Fig. 3, it is suitably formed as a single piece and secured to the shell by welding it into an opening provided in the enlarged portion 76. In any event, the bushing has a plurality of elongated openings 82, suitably four in number, and it is restricted to form a generally frustro-conical surface with a knife edge 83.

The combination guard and restrictor indicated generally by the reference character 84 has a conical portion 86 with a spray restricting orifice 87, a circular connection 88 from the conical portion to an apertured web portion 89, and a pair of hollow blades 91 which terminate in a circular portion 92 spaced from the circular portion 88. The largest diameter part of the conical portion 86 has elongated orifices 93. The said aperture' in the web portion 89 functions as a spray restricting orice, and the inside edges of the blades have an inturned head 94 which also has some effect in trapping any wild portion of spray which may occur. In assembly the annular portion of the shell engages in the space between the two circular portions 88 and 92, the conical portion 86 being sealed against the knife edge 87. An Allen screw 96 or other suitable fastening means is employed to maintain assembly.

In using the device of Fig. 8, the blades 91 straddle the stripe; and when it is necessary to re-adjust the position of the blades, it is only necessary to loosen the Allen screw slightly. The slots 82 and 93 are always aligned sufficiently to permit drainage. It will be noted also that an edge recess is formed on the exterior 0f the OiliCal portions 81 and 86 to prevent any tendency of accumulated material being` entrained-in thai-spray Yif the device is pointed upwardlyor atsome unusual angle.

The device of my invention has many advantages,xsome of which have generally been discussed hereinabove. The use of the pressure feed permits the spray; gunmto be used in any position; and the structure and vacuum utilized make it possible to use the device in any position and still obtain quick drainage, avoiding uneven and splotchy feed such as occurs if an accumulation of paint is suddenly dislodged and discharged on the painted surface. The relatively small, cross-sectional area of the spray control device also permits operation in almost any space; and the double container and carrying method also add to the flexibility of the device in actual use.

As I have previously explained, the device of my invention is particularly adapted for painting stripes under conditions considered too diicult heretofore except by the use of masking tape. An example is on slanting plane surfaces around window glass. For inside work the double-bladed guard is almost always indicated; but there ,L

are many places where only the single blade need be used, indeed, where it can be used to advantage. The single blade is preferably made somewhat longer than the double blade, and can engage in deep angular spaces frequently found on outside portions of windows around the glass. When the single guard is used there is some vignette effect on the unguardcd side, but this is no penalty where the contiguous vertical surface must also be painted. Whether the spray is being applied to a slanting or vertical surface, the spray gun is preferably held at right angles to the surface being painted. While only a relatively very small proportion of the spray strikes and adheres to the blades on the guards, it is advisable occasionally during a striping operation to wipe the blades to remove all adhered paint. This may usually be done at the time the guard is shifted, as when changing from horizontal to vertical striping position.

In using my spray device, the surface itself may form a guide, as when one blade of the guard rides along the angular recess between the glass and window moulding; but where required, a straight edge may be used and one blade of the guard run along it as a guide.

Although the air pressure used may vary, I have found it to be advantageous with my device to employ a relatively low air pressure, approximately 25 pounds being suitable. This pressure still provides for adequate suction when my suction method is used, and the location of drain holes 54 and 62 immediately above the boss 68 where suction is applied assures adequate drainage. Employing my device and method, stripes on surfaces such as around windows are applied rapidly, clearly, sharply, and without waste.

I have described my invention in detail so that those skilled in the art may understand how to practice the same, but the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. A spray device of the character described comprising a spray gun, a paint container, air pressure control means adapted to receive air from a suitable pressure source, an air line running from said pressure control means to said spray gun, a connection from said control means to said paint container, a paint line running from said container to the spray gun, a drain reservoir, a vacuum-producing air-operated aspirator connected to said drain reservoir, a line extending from said air line to said aspirator to continuously operate to produce a vacuum in said drain reservoir, a spray control device mounted to the spray gun having at least one orifice aligned with the said spray to remove a marginal portion thereof and reduce its cross-sectional area, and a suction drain line extending from said control device to the drain reservoir.

2. The combination defined in claim l, including a bar having its ends secured to said paint and drain lines, and a shoulder strap with its ends secured to said bar.

3;'A spray oon-trol device of the 'character described comprisinga shell adapted for attachment toa spray gun, a restrictor in the form of a hollow sphere having a plurality of spray controllingorices, means for supporting said restrictor in said shell with said-orifices in alignment with the spray, and suction means for removing spray material fromthe restrictor and shell.

4. A spray control device of the character described comprising` a shell having a portion adapted fork attachment toA a-spray-gun,` said'shell having an annular open end portion spaced from but aligned with that portion thereof attachable to the gun, a hollow bushing with a restricted annular portion secured to said open portion of the shell, a restrictor in the form of a hollow sphere, means for securing the restrictor within the bushing with a portion of its surface sealed against said restricted Vannular portion, said restrictor having spray restricting oritices` in alignment with said end portion of the bushing,

and means for withdrawing material which fails to pass said orifices.

5. A spray control device of the character described comprising a shell having a portion adapted for attachment to a spray gun, said shell having an annular open end portion spaced from but aligned with that portion thereof attachable to the gun, a hollow bushing with a restricted annular portion secured to said open portion of the shell, a restrictor in the form of a hollow sphere, said restrictor having spray restricting orifices, a guard having at least one line defining blade and a spray passing orifice, and a ring nut threaded on the said bushing and engaging the guard to force said guard against the restrictor to thereby hold said restrictor against the restricted portion of the bushing and position the guard with said spray restricting orifices in alignment.

6. A spray control device of the character described comprising a shell adapted for attachment to a spray gun, said shell having an interiorly threaded annular open end portion spaced from but aligned with that portion thereof attached to the spray gun, an exteriorly threaded, generally hollow bushing secured in said end portion of the shell, said bushing having a restricted portion shaped to form a circular knife edge, a restrictor comprising a hollow, generally spherical body with a washer-like projection spaced from butparallel with a plane bisecting the center of the said sphere, a guard member having a shoulder engaging said washer-like projection, and a ring nut threaded on the bushing and engaging the guard member to hold the samein contact with said washerlike projection and force the restrictor against said knife edge, said restrictor having two spray restricting orifices and the guard member one orifice in alignment, and said guard member having at least one blade defining one side of a restricted spray passing therethrough.

7. A spray control device of the character described comprising a shell having a generally tubular portion adapted for attachment over a spray gun and a relatively enlarged portion, said tubular portion projecting into the enlarged portion to form a lip and the enlarged portion having an interiorly threaded portion spaced from but aligned with said lip, a generally tubular bushing threaded into said interiorly threaded portion of the shell, said bushing having an exterior truncated cone the apex of which forms a restricted circular knife edge, said cone pointing toward said lip of the shell, a generally spherical hollow restrictor Within the bushing resting against said circular knife edge, said restrictor having a washer-like projection opposite to the portion engaging the knife edge, a guard member with an internal shoulder engaging said washer-like projection to force the restrictor against said knife edge, a ring nut threaded on the bushing and engaging the guard member to hold it against the washer-like projection of the restrictor, and a drain opening in the enlarged portion of the shell, said restrictor having a relatively small spray restricting orifice facng said lip, and an aligned larger orifice facing the guard member, and

7 the guard member having a still largerv diameter orice, the guard member having at least one blade lying along one side of a spray passing said orifices, said restrictor and bushing having aligned drain openings-above the said drain openings in the shell.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,828,463 Hammers Oct. 20, 1931 8 Steinke Mar. 31, 1936 Chamberlin et al I an. 20, 1942 Ivey Nov. 15, 1949 Einbecker June 13, 1950 Goda June 20, 1950 

